Minardi PS03

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Minardi PS03
Category Formula One
Constructor Minardi
Designer(s) Gabriele Tredozi
Technical Specifications
Chassis Carbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front) Double Wishbone pushrod activated torsion bars
Suspension (rear) Pushrod activated torsion bars
Engine European V10 (72°) naturally aspirated
Transmission Minardi 6-speed longitudinal semi-automatic sequential
Fuel Elf
Tyres Michelin
Competition History
Notable entrants European Minardi F1
Notable drivers 18. Flag of the United Kingdom Justin Wilson
18. Flag of Denmark Nicolas Kiesa
19. Flag of the Netherlands Jos Verstappen
Debut 2003 Australian Grand Prix
 Races   Wins    Poles     FLs   
16 0 0 0
Constructors' Championships 0
Drivers' Championships 0

The Minardi PS03 is a Formula One car used by the Minardi team during the 2003 Formula One season.

The PS03 was the third Minardi car to be created under the influence of Paul Stoddart and he wanted it to be a regular point scorer. Justin Wilson and Jos Verstappen were the drivers, with Nicolas Kiesa as the test driver. The highlight of the season for the team was Verstappen's fastest time on Friday at Magny Cours, however this was only because it rained. Surprisingly, even though the team had many retirements; Wilson only finishing 2 of his first 8 races, the Cosworth engines were reliable, they never caused the driver to retire. What caused Wilson to retire these 6 times was; 3 holed radiators, physical issues and a recurring refuelling glitch.

One of the main problems Minardi always had with the car was the lack of wind-tunnel testing, only managing 12 days in the Fondmetal windtunnel.

[edit] Pre-Season Issues

At first the team appeared to have no sponsors, engines or tyres. Michelin had pulled out of the team leaving Minardi to run some pre-season tests on Avon tyres. Asiatech engines were gone, as was the previous year's sponsorship from Kuala Lumpur. This left Minardi in some serious problems. Eventually Bridgestone agreed to make the tyres, and with the help of new driver Jos Verstappen they managed to get sponsorship from Trust. European Aviation, (Stoddart's own company) put up sponsorship as did various other small companies for small sums of money, including Gazprom, who reportedly did not pay. Minardi also managed to get Cosworth engines, old 72 degree V10's, un-tuned and similar to those being used in the Jordan of that season but these were slightly longer. There was initially no title sponsor until the Dutch company Trust joined the team for the 2003 Monaco Grand Prix.

[edit] Complete Formula One results

(key)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Points WCC
2003 Minardi European V10 B AUS MAL BRA SMR ESP AUT MON CAN EUR FRA GBR GER HUN ITA USA JPN 0 NC
Justin Wilson Ret Ret Ret Ret 11 13 Ret Ret 13 14 16
Nicolas Kiesa 12 13 12 11 16
Jos Verstappen 11 13 Ret Ret 12 Ret Ret 9 14 16 15 Ret 12 Ret 11 15


[edit] References